I'm holding out hope as I grabbed Chaz toward the middle of last season when he made a mini run at PT/health. If I remember right, the last Raiders training camp where all the Denarius hype hit (for good reason), there were multiple reports (pasted a few quotes below) that Chaz was the best looking WR on the squad (then behind Moore after a while) and looked like the starter.
-'11 TC Report (before Denarius starting really taking off in camp: Schilens is 100% for the first time in a long time and he looks great. He is leaping and high-pointing balls stretching out his 6-4 frame. At one point, he beat rookie Sterling Moore and got behind safeties Tyvon Branch and Stevie Brown to make a long sideline, over-the-shoulder grab.
He was also catching going down the middle and a couple times he took hard hits after the catch. With his injury history, every hit gives pause. But each time, he held onto the ball and popped right back up.
-'11 TC Report: Others who looked good today were WR Chaz Schilens, RB Darren McFadden and LB Rolando McClain. Schilens played the way we know he is capable but rarely see because he is so often injured.
-'11 Season: This season, Chaz has scored two crucial touchdowns- both of which allowed Oakland to eventually pick up the victory. It would be scary to see a completely healthy Chaz Schilens all season, and who knows? Maybe this year showed he can keep himself good? Maybe next year, he'll play the whole season?
-At the end of the day, Chaz has a low-scale rookie contract that is up in 2012. Bringing him back will not hurt the team, either financially or morally. Many said this is a make or break season for him, he might not have a lot of receptions, but he scores when given a shot either in the red-zone or near it.
-Many can question why Chaz can't stay healthy, but everyone's body is different. What matters is, when Chaz can contribute, flashes of brilliance shows. The touchdown he had against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11? Simply beautiful.
The catch-and-go TD against Houston? Excellent show of smarts and determination.
-Chaz Schilens has a lot to offer the Oakland Raiders; what was seen against Minnesota and Houston is just the tip of the iceberg; keep Chaz around and he will continue to produce as a Raider.
-Schilens scored in the final two games of his rookie NFL season and looked like a Pro Bowl caliber receiver during the following preseason. His quickness after the catch was a surprise to even those who watched his rookie season.
You know it's bad when a guy has so little time on the field due to injury that you have to paste training camp quotes, but the potential seems there. It's a long shot but the size, speed, hands combo and not much competition make him a nice stash...he may just get on the field and stay healthy.
-QG
